Mercedes boss Toto Wolff throws doubt on teams long term future in F1

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Toto Wolff: Mercedes F1 future 'an issue that we are currently discussing with each other'

Will Mercedes still be around in 2021?

Sam Hall

Saturday 4 January 2020 14:00 Updated: 13:16

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Mercedes have been the dominating force in Formula One for the past six-years, but boss Toto Wolff has again cast doubt as to whether the team will stick around beyond the 2020 season.

Negotiations between Liberty Media, Formula One Management and the 10-existing teams over the 2021 regulations and the new Concorde Agreement were tough and required compromise from the 'big' teams in order to make F1 more competitive.

As the most successful team on the grid in the modern era, Mercedes were always going to be hit the hardest by any changes that were made. As a result, the German marques future within the sport has been a discussion point ever since. Now, Wolff has once again cast doubt on the Silver Arrow's future participation.

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He told Motorsport.com: "It is an issue that we are currently discussing with each other. With an emphasis on 'being'. These conversations have not yet been completed.

"You can also say: "We have had a very successful period, we have nothing to prove anymore. Let's do something else. " There is something to be said for both."

With six back-to-back drivers' and constructors' championship doubles, it cannot be denied that Mercedes are in a position where they have very little to gain but instead have a lot to lose from the changes.

However, in December Wolff was a lot more optimistic about the chances of Mercedes remaining a part of Formula One.

“All the numbers that are coming in – from audiences in the conventional TV, digital space, sponsorship – are growing,” Wolff said.

“I think this is a sport that also with the spending cap coming in in 2021 is an area of growth.

“There will be certain thresholds that will come into the rules about joining the sport, concerning certain franchise value.

“Leaving the sport now would certainly not be the right thing to do from a commercial perspective when it’s just about to turn into a new opportunity."